Day 30 - You Hold Me Now (Hillsong Worship)
The Bible speaks about the future a lot, and in Revelation 21 (MSG) it says:
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighbourhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good - tears gone, crying gone, pain gone.”
The song ‘You Hold Me Now’ uses this heavily in the lyrics:
VERSE 1:
On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free
CHORUS:
No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now
This year has been a bit bonkers! Through everything, the best laid plans have pretty much been ripped into shreds. There were a few things this year, that I was really looking forward to. A business trip here, a short Europe trip there, a chance to go and see Lesley at Montgomery Heights in Zimbabwe was in fact planned and paid for. Needless to say, our plans, like the rest of us, have been somewhat disrupted due to COVID-19.
And that’s ok. We look forward to things for many different reasons, some are longing to see a family members again (I’m sure we’ve all had that this year) or maybe the beginning/end of a school year for example. The challenge is when we long for something in the future, as the answer, as the antidote for the current season we are in; if only we can get through until our next holiday, when I’m in a new job, when I have a bigger house, larger salary, when the kids are back at school (any parents with me?!).
Compared to eternity though, the last five months of COVID-19 are like the briefest of seconds. In eternity, there will be no more weeping, no pain, no suffering – just incredible.
This song is one that I cannot sing softly or be unmoved by it - even as I write this, with it on the background, I am mouthing it out! (The kids and neighbours would not be keen to hear my vocals!). It is a song reminding us to keep an eternal perspective, where there will be no suffering. It moves us from having our focus on our ‘now’ to the future, and what a glorious future that is. A future of eternity in the presence of God.
I’ve sung this song in the midst of personal work challenges, in the midst of angst, confusion, anger even. This song encourages us lift our eyes away from our own situations, to stand, whether in joy or pain, to commit to staying the path.
For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name
I love this declaration in the bridge. It’s strong and pushes me to sing it with conviction. We can surrender our position, our circumstances, and choose to praise God because we know there is going to be a greater day, a hope that never fails.
Remember today, that as followers of Jesus Christ, our security is not built on anything we have planned for the future, but rather on His hope and what He promises for the future.
Think it over / Meditate on:
Play this song https://youtu.be/qmrXdjilmaY (over and over if needs be) and sing it in surrender. Putting away your current circumstances, letting the words be a declaration of praise to God.
If we constantly look towards that glorious day, of heaven, we must also be a part of the work God is doing now in the world. Ponder what that means for you – are you fully surrendered to what God is asking of you?
Written by Senior Pastor Tim